SeaGrass Grow is the first and only blue carbon calculator – planting and protecting coastal wetlands to fight climate change.
Since 2008, The Ocean Foundation has been involved in many coastal restoration projects and has widely promoted the concept of Blue Carbon — the capacity of the natural ecosystems of seagrasses, tidal marshes and mangroves to take up and sequester large quantities of carbon in both the plants themselves and the sediment below. Recognizing that this concept could help address and mitigate climate change while promoting ocean health, TOF has made an effort to protect and restore these coastal systems while investing in the science and viability of blue carbon.
Through this innovative program, individuals or businesses can calculate the carbon footprint of their home, workplace or travel and offset it to restore and protect seagrass. In 2016, we completely redesigned our carbon offset program, working with various corporations, foundations, events, & individuals to develop the most appropriate offset approach for them.
Learn more and calculate your carbon footprint at SeaGrassGrow.org.
Our Newest Restoration Project
YEARS: 2019 – present
LOCATION: Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Puerto Rico, USA
TOTAL RESERVE AREA: 1140 hectares
Located in Aguirre, PR, Jobos Bay Reserve is the second largest estuary in Puerto Rico. It’s Intertidal tropical ecosystem is dominated by seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangroves and is home to the endangered Antillian Manatee. Restoring seagrass beds in Jobos Bay will provide blue carbon, infrastructure, and hurricane resilience benefits, including:
- Restoring the integrity and extent of seagrass meadows to make them more effective in reducing wave action and storm surges (to protect both surrounding urban and agricultural areas)
- Improving local water quality
- Helping to mitigate the impacts of surrounding agricultural activities and urban runoff
- Providing much-needed income for local dive fishermen and seagrass researchers suffering from economic impacts of recent hurricanes
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Sponsors: 11th Hour Racing, JetBlue, Peak Design, Columbia Sportswear, Costa Sunglasses
Why it’s important
With almost every aspect of your personal and professional life, you force more and more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. It’s just a fact of modern life. There are many things you can do to reduce your footprint, but that’s not always enough. By offsetting your carbon footprint, you’re ensuring that you’re not adding to climate change, you’re defending our blue planet from it.
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2023: A First Step in Protecting the Elusive High Seas
This past year focused on protecting the part of the ocean that is outside of the jurisdictional reach of any specific country and is, arguably, so enigmatic that experts in the field are still striving to understand it. When it comes to the high seas, there is a large part (64%) of the ocean that no one truly owns and that no one country can protect on its own. Which begs the question, “how do you protect something that doesn’t belong (only) to you?”
No-Mining November: The Ocean Foundation’s ISA Council Check-In
The International Seabed Authority’s third set of meetings held in Kingston, Jamaica wrapped up last week with little fanfare and fewer decisions. The Ocean Foundation participated in the meetings for the third time this year, continuing to speak with delegates on our key goals.
Don’t Shade the Ocean
We need sound legal tools to address side effects from climate geoengineering projects that could endanger the marine environment. These unwanted impacts include the ability of the seas to produce food and oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and excess heat.
